Geologists discovered that the largest coal deposits were formed around 300 million years ago. How did this observation support the theory of plate tectonics?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Around that time, it is thought that those regions were located along the ridge of a long mountain chain.
Around that time, it is thought that those regions were located along the ridge of a long mountain chain.

Around that time, those regions were located on arid plateaus in temperate regions.
Around that time, those regions were located on arid plateaus in temperate regions.

Around that time, those regions were located in tropical climates that were partially submerged on the coasts.
Around that time, those regions were located in tropical climates that were partially submerged on the coasts.

Around that time, those regions were located near the south pole where coal would likely have formed.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

Around that time, those regions were located in tropical climates that were partially submerged on the coasts.

This observation supports the theory of plate tectonics by indicating that the positions of continents have changed over millions of years. The existence of large coal deposits, which typically form in warm, wet, and tropical environments, suggests that the regions where these deposits are found were once situated in favorable locations for coal formation, which is consistent with the movement of tectonic plates over geological time.